Ipsy December 2014 Subscription Box

Ipsy is a monthly sample beauty subscription box/"glam bag". The cost is $10 month (shipping included). Each month you will receive 5 beauty products + a makeup bag. When you first start your account with Ipsy you are asked to take a beauty quiz so that your monthly selections can be tailored to your preferences.  If you would like to check it out, please use my referral link:                   http://www.ipsy.com/r/c7b6

This was what I received:

GLAM BAG.. I received a really cute little black and pink bag. Perfect size and shape for eyeliners!

BUMBLE AND BUMBLE ...(Blow drying creme)...Not something I would ever use, will have to find a new home for it

NOURISH ORGANIC ..(Renewing Eye Cream..Avocado) ..I had never heard of this before, will try it...love that it is Organic.

 NYX ..(Butter Lip Balm- Red Velvet)... Have never used any of the NYX products before. It feels very nice on my lips..has a slight tint to it. Went right into my purse. Favorite item in the bag.

TARTE (Light, Camera, Lashes 4 in 1 Mascara) ... I am not a mascara fan, never have been. Would have much rather had an eyeliner.  Will have to find a new home for this.

Crownbrush.com (Crease Shadow Brush) ...Not something I would normally use so will probably pass this one along as well..

Overall review of the box: I always enjoy getting my Ipsy bag.  However this month was more misses than hits.  3 of the 5 items won't be used. Hoping for a better bag next month. Again if you would like to try out Ipsy for yourself feel free to use my referral link:   http://www.ipsy.com/r/c7b6

NatureBox December 2014 Subscription Box

Naturebox  is monthly subscription box that delivers "nutritious and delicious snacks for under $20/month. For every box we deliver, we donate one meal to provide food to the hungry".   In their monthly Deluxe NatureBox you will receive  5 full-sized bags for only $19.95 per month + FREE SHIPPING. 

This is what I received in this box:

3.5oz package
ASIAGO & CHEDDAR CHEESE CRISPS (3.5 servings per bag ..10 pieces per serving .. 130 calories, 0g sugar)...These are my favorite from this box.. They have a great flavor and crunch. I like to float a couple pieces on top of a hot bowl of soup, so good as they slowly start to melt.

5oz package:
COUNTRY RANCH SUNFLOWER KERNALS (4.5 servings per bag..1/4 cup per serving 190 calories, less than 1g sugar).. I love these on salads. I only use about 1 Tbsp just to get a nice crunch. I love ranch dressing but avoid it, actually love it too much..LOL So these have a great ranch flavor for a lot less calories than the actual dressing.

3.2oz package
HONEY NUT MEDLEY (honey roasted mixed nuts):  (3 servings per bag.. 1/4 cup per serving.. 170 calories, 9g sugar)... These went right into Barry's lunch bag. He loved them!

5oz package
POPPY SEED STICKS (sesame sticks with poppy seeds):  (4.5 servings per bag.. 1/4 cup per serving..160 calories, 0g sugar) ...These have a great crunch and flavor to them. Love them mixed into a salad in place of croutons...Or paired with some fresh fruit for a great sweet/savory combination snack.

5oz bag:
MINI MEDJOOLS (medjool dates) : (3.5 servings per bag.. 3 pieces per serving.. 120 calories, 25g sugar) .... I don't use medjools as a sack I use them as an ingredient in recipes. Sometimes they are hard to find so I was glad to see them on the NatureBox snack list. I will be using this bag in a raw brownie recipe.  They can also be used with raw almonds when making your own almond milk.

Overall review of the sampler box: This was a wonderful box.  Really enjoyed every snack and would get them all again sometime.  Very happy to have the medjools for my brownie recipe. Feel free to use my link to receive $10 off of your first box! :)   http://fbuy.me/-ULI

BarkBox December 2014 Subscription Box

BarkBox is "A box of high quality dog products for your pup, delivered to your door each month."  BarkBox is $29.99 a month (shipping included) and you can customize the box to fit the size of your dog.  Tiny (less than 10lbs),  Small & Cute (10-20lbs),  Just Right (20-50lbs), Big and Bold (50+ lbs). I was very excited to get Eenie signed up so that she would have a special gift under the Christmas tree this year.

This is what she received (I looked but Eenie can't see until Christmas morning!):

BARKMADE YULETIDE LOG ...This was the first thing I saw when I opened the box and thought it was adorable...BUT then I looked at the label and saw "Made in China"... We are very careful about not buying any treats or toys for her made in China, so I was so disappointed to see this. We will just end up using it as a decoration.

BOCCE'S BAKERY LUMPS OF COAL (USA made).. I'm sure Eenie will love these...I love that they are made with only 4 ingredients.

SAFEMADE HOLIDAY TARTAN BANDANA... It's really cute, I like the side with the candy cane stripes...the other side is reindeer and trees. We will "attempt" to get this on her on Christmas morning. I don't know if we will be successful or not, she has never worn a bandana...LOL I do know that while trying she will roll over on her back..kick her legs up in protest and then give us the saddest looking eyes wondering why we are torturing her..LOL

PLANET DOG LUMP OF COAL (Made in the USA)...Eenie loves playing with balls so I'm sure she will love this..

ETTA SAYS DUCK CHEW (Made in the USA, based out of St Louis Missouri).. Eenie has never had anything duck before so not sure if she will like this or not.

Overall review of the box: First impression was rough when I saw the Made in China product, and I immediately felt disappointed. However, I am pleased with the other items in the box and hope to get some great pictures of Eenie with her box on Christmas morning.

Kitnip December 2014 Subscription Box

Kitnip is  "A monthly box of goodies for your cat!"  There are two price options for boxes. The "Happy Cat" box is $19 a month (shipping included) and the "Multi-cat" box which is $29 a month (shipping included).  I signed up for the "Happy Cat" box for our Grayzee Mayzee for Christmas. There was a code to use for 15% off the box. The code is still available until 12/15 it is HOLIDAY15

We have received the box already and it is under the tree. Grayzee has not seen it yet, but I took a sneak peek and already know he is going to love it.

Here is what he received:

TWINKLE MOUSE IN MOTION TOY

SCRATCHING TOP TOY

CATNIP KITTY CANE

HAND-BAKED TREATS

HANDMADE CATNIP PILLOW TOY

Overall review of the box: I know already Grayzee Mayzee will love it! Will take updated pics of him on Christmas morning. Such a great way to spoil that special furbaby in your life. Don't forget you still have a few more days to use the 15% discount code HOLIDAY15

Dollar Shave Club December 2014 Subscription Box

Dollar Shave Club "sends high quality razors to your door for a few bucks a month". Prices are $1, $6 or $9 a month (including shipping) depending on the razor you choose:

The $1 a month option is "The Humble Twin" it is a 2 blade razor ("A great basic shaver, for guys who dig simplicity and precision") you get 5 cartridges per month

The $6 option is a "The 4x" aka "The Lovers Blade" it is a  4 blade razor, ("The last razor you’ll ever need - a gentle shave in a single stroke") & ("You will love this razor - and your girlfriend can use it too") you get 4 cartridges per month

The  $9 option is "The Executive"  it is a 6 blade razor ("The final frontier - it’s like a personal assistant for your face") you get 4 cartridges per month
 
If anyone is interested in trying it if you use my referral link we will also receive a $5 credit. You will then have a referral link to use and if someone uses yours you will also receive a credit.  :)   http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/kimmjonesfurlotte

"The Executive"  is what Barry uses and LOVES ($9 option). He has been using only these razors since we signed him up in June. With the cooler weather he tends to shave less often, so we have spaced out deliveries. The Dollar Shave Club site is very easy to use and you can quickly change your deliveries to every other month or whenever is best for you.  You can also very easily change your subscription to try out the other razors offered. I use "The Lovers Blade" ($6 option) and also love it as well.

 Overall review of the box.. We are both extremely impressed at the quality of the razors and with the ease of navigating the DSC website. 

Again if you are interested in trying them out for yourself or a loved one feel free to use our referral link:   
http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/kimmjonesfurlotte

Try the World Subscription Box - Holiday Box 2014

Try the World is the "first gourmet tour around the world delivered to your door" box. Boxes are $38.99 a month. They do from time to time run special discounts or promotions. I came across a promotion to purchase their Paris Box and receive their Holiday Box for FREE. I couldn't pass it up. Paris Box came first, LOVED it. Holiday Box came about a week later.

This is what I received in the Holiday Box:

URBANI TARTUFI (Truffle products) ... Love the favor of truffles so was very excited to  see these. I received two truffle chocolate pieces. One white chocolate, one dark chocolate. The truffle taste was stronger in the white but both were equally delicious. I also received a one time use sample of "fine olive oil with white truffle essence" .. Still trying to decide what to use it on! :)

RIP VAN WAFELS (Traditional Dutch waffles) ..There were 2 waffles in the box. One traditional, which I have had before and already know is delicious. The other was a cocoa filled one, it was good but still prefer the traditional. They are chewy and crispy and best paired with a nice cup of tea or coffee.

 DOCE DE LEITE (Milky spreads) ..These come from Brazil and come in three different flavors: Doce de Leite com Amexia (prune flavor) , Doce de Leite, ("sweet milk"),  Doce de Leite com Coco (coconut). Suggestion for these is to use them on toast, crepes, ice cream or fruit. I was disappointed to see that they are made with Splenda. So will be passing these along to someone else.

LE PALAIS DES THES (Fine teas) ... I love trying new teas...also had this brand in the Paris Box

ANNA'S (Swedish Thins-Ginger) ..I've had the Anna's cookies before, but not the ginger flavor. They are really crispy and good. I crushed a couple and added them to some Greek yogurt. They also go very nicely as a snack with a cup of tea. (6 cookies in 1 serving)

LES CONFITURES A L'ANCIENNE (Hot Chocolate powder- France) ..You can smell the cocoa through the package. I am saving these to have on Christmas Eve while I am watching my "A Christmas Story" marathon!

FAVARGER (Swiss chocolate) ... Nothing bad you can say about Swiss chocolate. It's so creamy and delicious! It was hard to limit myself to just a couple squares at a time! LOL

MYSTERY TREAT: Every box comes with a "mystery treat" ...I was really hoping for the Baci that was featured in several pictures of the holiday. In Canada it could be found everywhere and Barry loved it. Here in the US, we haven't found it yet.  Sadly we didn't get it though instead we got:

RESERVA DE MINAS(Geleia de Pessego..peach preserves, peach jam- Brazil):  It's a cute little jar, nicely packaged of what I translate to be peach jam.  Haven't tried it yet. Thinking it may be very nice though used as a glaze for Ina Garten's Apple Galette..her recipe calls for Apricot Jelly or Jam. Thinking the peach would make a great substitution. Will be making it for Christmas Eve

Overall review of this box: Didn't love it , but liked it very much. Was more intrigued with the Paris Box.  It was packaged beautifully though and I appreciate the opportunity of getting to try the boxes with the special pricing.